Last Of Twelve, notes from The Watt

December reigns, OC Pier damage.  12/2012

    We've been imagining hittin' the surf as of late.  The last week or so has seen some significant surf in the area... waist high or better!  Unfortunately, our relativity to the coastline prohibits our weekly sessions thanks to work and the upcoming solstice (i.e. - not enough daylight left son).  So the winter sessions have been relegated to rippin' into some wings and quaffin' a few beers.
  Last week we hit the (Salis)Bury's downtown, and slid into Mojo's on Main. Claiming a stake on "Urban" food, our eyes lit up at the tap list.  Not bad, approx a dozen or so crafts of draft and a nice selection of wings.  As we settled up to the small bar in front of a flatscreen we chose a couple of winter ales and ordered Mojo's Hot and Chipotle BBQ.  The hot were outstanding and the BBQ were very good as well.  The decor was sparse (almost spartan) and the music- just not doin' it.  Regardless, the wings and brews made the night. With the holiday season upon us, we may very well be into the New Year before the crusade picks back up. Until then, Merry Christmas, and stay stoked!

12/13 - THE RATINGS:

Mojo's Hot: A

Chipotle BBQ: B+

Beer: A-

TV/Music: C+

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 3.20

Mele Kalikimaka!

After Dark, notes from the Target

Crumbs, 11/15

      Not much goin' on in the way of surf.  Knee high or less.  Disorganized. Sound like we're justifying not being in the water (besides the dark)?  You're right.  Winterfest to tide us over?  The Holidays already? Seriously?  Damn, it was just Summer!  Mmmm...bring on the lights...

      With sundown before we leave work, the Crusades have entered the off season full on whether we want it or not.  After dark now.  Always after dark. We need some light.  We need comfort.  A place to call home. A friendly smile.  A neighborhood bar.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  Kirby's Pub in the 93rd street shopping village.  A literal hole in the wall, or rather hole in the strip mall.  Ya walk in... clearly an locals dive.  We've done this before.  Friendly barkeep, scattered tables and chairs, small scale bar.  Everything smaller. Even the flatscreens.  Music. Big.  They've done the Bose.  Volume perfect. Loud enough to feel the beat, but not so that you've gotta yell over it. Internet jukebox...perfect selection.  Okay, okay, enough.  We're here for the wings. And beer too!  A nice selection on tap.  We snagged a couple of cold Evolution Jacques au Lantern drafts and sampled their advertised "Best of OC" wings-  BBQ and "Bangin.'"  Good size, well cooked, decent taste.  No real distinction here in our heads.  No "Wow factor." In addition, a little pricer than we've had it in a while. In the "Out Season" no less. Where's the off season specials? Small crowd. Lame game (Virginia vs. U of NC...Really?!).  We must move on.

THE RATINGS-

Bangin' Wings: C+

BBQ Wings: B-

Beer: B

TV/Music: B

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.75

Out Season Siren Song, notes from the Target

Can you hear her song?  Curvaceous mini-slab, 47th st., 11/8.  Photo courtesy Malibus Surf Shop

    It may not be winter yet, but Sandy's passing sure has made a strong case for it's preparation to land.  Chilly week, though a brief respite through the weekend, but more falling temps to come.  And the Atlantic has not gone unblemished.  Waves struck big and somewhat clean last week, and like the Sirens in Homer's Odyssey the swell called to us.  Resistance was not too difficult.  We have felt the chill and seen the early sunsets. This time of year,  low 50's salted just don't give night surfin' the same appeal. Now is the time for the heat of good wings, the ice of a chilled beer, and good friends.
   The Crusades took the high road (i.e. from Salisbury), through the lower shore to Pittsville, MD and Station 7.  Upon entrance, we were underwhelmed with the tiny eight to ten person bar stuck in the corner... no patrons, no bartender.  But, soon enough a ditty but chatty Barkeep arrives takes orders.  Would you believe in this destitute bar they had two dry taps? Out of beer? Seriously? But once you saw her pour the beer, one could discern as to why- beer would flow and flow until no head was left. Could've probably gotten two+ for every one poured.  Never waste beer, dear!  We came for wings.  Ah, alas, uneventful as well.  The Hot Buffalo, average. Spicy BBQ, a bit on the cumin side... a little better.  A little.  Like the TV... little screen with no game.  But get this, about 2/3's thru the evening the Bartender tells us there's a big sports bar upstairs... complete with multiple TV's... with football on... and people... and full, running taps!  Thus, the end of our first Out Season session.  We may have been lost in the desert, but we will never stop marching towards our next oasis.  Forward!

THE RATINGS-
Hot Buffalo: C
Spicy BBQ: B-
Beer: C-
TV/Music: C-
Atmosphere: C-
Overall Score = 2.08

Post Sandy Perfection, notes from the Target

Post Sandy perfection-11/1

  The end of a season is always bittersweet.  Another year of surf, sand, and sights reserved for the sun and beach.  But, the last weekday evening on the sea this year had been dramatically impacted by the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Loss of sand from the beach head and dunes put a sandbar directly offshore.  Combined with a low tide and light offshore winds, DWatt,the sole surfer for miles, entered the water and had plenty to smile about (with the exception of added boots and gloves) capping a couple of stomach high A-Frames to end the night.  Yeah, he was done in by the dark, less quality time - more shadows than pics.  Two rides ain't much, but it put closure on our In-Season and the stoke allowed us to ease into the weekly hibernation of "Standard Time " Out-Season.  We were grateful to have escaped the damage incurred by Jersey and New York. For us a bit of flooding.  Minor sand and water damage.  Up north, devastation.

Inlet Pier damage, 10/29

Beach erosion was common up and down the OC's beaches.  G. Whaley Photo, 10/30

Bayside flooding. 10/29

  
 












 
   For The last In Season night, we end where we began.  Smitty Mcgees for another round.  We expect a certain quality from this pub, and though we had been indisposed for the last three months we expected the same. Smittys delivered.  Beer in frosty mugs and the wings that call us back... Medium Hot and BBQ.  Say what you will, but some places understand the nuances of preparing good wings and Smittys is among the best.  That is why we keep coming back. Live music, football on the TV (a few new flatscreens ta boot!), Good surf, good food, good friends, good times. Bring on Winter!

THE RATINGS-
Medium Hot Wings: B+
BBQ Wings: B+
Beer: B
TV/Music: B+
Atmosphere: B+
Overall Score = 3.10

Shadows And Dust, notes from The Watt

"We mortals are but shadows and dust.  Shadows and dust!"
-Proximo, Gladiator

10/25
   Hurricane Sandy was comin' on up the coast, wreaking havoc along it's way, not sure whether to be a Tropical Storm or Cat 1 'Cane.  Thursday evening, and we were just starting to feel the effects.  Conditions exposed a mid-high tide with sloppy thigh to waist slop.  Water was still in the low 60's but the night air was cool enough to warrant a full suit.  No boots or gloves yet.  The sun had set very fast with twilight hitting hard by 6:45pm.  By the time the Targetman found the beach I was but a shadow in the dusk.  At one point I would have been glad to sneak one outta of the growing mess. Course, after that first backside I wanted another and another.  Don't get me wrong... weak, brief rides.  But only a surfer knows the feeling.  It's hard to stop at one.  Short night, short session, short rides.  The dark walk back and we speak of the inevitable... one session left.
   As one might have noticed, this post as well as the next are coming a bit late.  Technical (i.e computer) problems.  So pics will show later.  No $hit need be heard.

10/25, the Lull before the Storm

 











     This night's wing session took place at a true locals dive.  Coins Pub & Restaurant.  Part of the 28th Street Triangle, Coins has been bringing in local families, friends and old timers since 1988.  No doubt... the decor goes back farther than that!  The pub is known for it's crabcakes but true to the Crusade, we were there for the wings.  Hot and BBQ on order.  2 cold drafts to start.  Beer cold, glasses not.  Wings were big, meaty and well cooked.  As close to a Smitty's order of Medium and BBQ as any we've had.  Good taste. Nicely marinated in their respective sauces.  The only catch to the night...a bit of a wait for the tab.  This didn't help in the ratings. However, definitely worth a return trip.  Onward Souljas!

THE RATINGS-
Hot Buffalo Wings: B
BBQ Wings: B
Beer: C (Frost 'dem Mugs!)
TV/Music: B-
Atmosphere: C+ (Tab please!)
OVERALL SCORE = 2.60

Closing In, notes from the Target

Loveless night, 10/18

    
   As the end of Fall closes in, we are dealing with the mid-week short surf sessions.  Natures tid-bits.  With a little cloud cover and a cursory sunset fading pink and orange on the horizon, we're just able to spy the sets coming in upon arrival.  So Wattman does his mad dash into the line-up and chiseles a few out before dusk sets in.  Needless to say, the last ride involves some night surfing.  If we could get the Holiday Inn to light 'em up like they use ta' do in the '70s we'd be set.  But, without light the Watt is left to straining his eyes on a moonless night in mushy thigh-high swell.  Surf chopped up and diminishing. The last ride like squeezing a spent orange for just one more Crush...weak.  Not feelin' the love.  When you're at the mercy of an uncontrollable mistress, any ride is appreciated.  We walk away.  Two weeks left to our hump day season.
   The Crusade stayed it's course as we visited yet another new locale - the Pit & Pub on 28th street.  A not so atypical restaurant/sports bar in this town that has changed hands more than once, upon entering we noticed that some of the same deco from the previous life still abounded.  Bare minimum.  Old school.  We sat at the bar with the regulars of this area, grabbed a couple of cold micros from the Tap and reviewed the menu. This place specializes in smoke, and the wings were no different.  And they like 'em Hot!  We also tried their specialty offering known as Hog Wings.  The Hot Wings were hot, but not overpowering.  Real nice smoked flavor unlike we've had before.  Did I mention the Hog Wings?  An order of three..shanks.  That's right, pork shanks with a BBQ Teriyaki glaze smoked to perfection, falling off the bone.  It was a meal worthy of any fine establishment.  So if it's smoke you seek in the OC, look no further.  Hit the Pit.  The Pub ain't much, but the food is definitely their strength.

THE RATINGS-
Hot Wings: B+
Hog Wings: B+ (Come on, Man... it's pork.  Good pork, but still.)
Beer: B
TV/Music: C+
Atmosphere: C
Total Score: 2.68

Ugly But Real, notes from the Target

Hit it fast! 10/10

Ugly, son!

 
 

























   What can ya do?  No matter how much you want to be at one with the swell, there's just not enough stoke to overcome a bad night. Fast, thigh to waist close-outs in a tide running out. Off-shores made 'em look pretty...for a very short time.  It was a true event that even one ride was grabbed. Water now in the mid-60's and the Watt was off a bit on his choice of rubber (admittedly a bit much). You know how it is with too much rubber... it just don't feel the same. After jumping multiple waves, and getting jacked on a few, only one.  It was ugly, but it was real. Nightfall hits fast now, and as we headed off the beach feeling slighted. Our weekday surf time is running out, but the hunger has not been filled.  A sense of urgency scratches at us as the next several weeks are all important to fill our reserves to make it through the winter, and we are forced to cling to weekend surf opportunities.
   This past week we returned to Johnny's Pizza & Pub.  Our last foray was unrated, but deserving of another shot and full review.  Maybe it's the time of year, but once again we ended up with a first night waitress.  Even sat at the same table.  Good omen?  Actually the comparison ended there. Maybe our memories are fading, but the last visit seemed to be all around better than this.  The beer variety was decent and cold, and wing offerings plentiful.  But the experience did not have any snap. No crackle.  Minus the pop. Maybe we just went a tad too exotic on the wings... (my fault a little - very little).  They certainly did not live up to our hopes.  And, while the TVs were plentiful, the O's game exciting, the disappointment of the wings was a downer.  But on a future cold winter night, a football game, we may venture another try.

THE RATINGS:

Spicy Cajun Jerk: C+

Smokey BBQ: C+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B

TV/Music: B+

Overall Score=2.68

Can Ya Hear The Scream?, notes from the Target

Clean lines, 10/4

      As October begins, the empty beach and twilight silence leaves us with two of the seasons most oft asked questions...is the beach truly ours, and with emptiness for five blocks on either side, could anyone hear our screams?  Conditions were not bad.  Low tide, water still at 70F, fun swell with knee to thigh to occasional waist.  Very clean.  The real unequalizer is the fast dropping sun...sets now at approx 6:30 pm.  These nights it's not just catching the perfect wave, but seeing the perfect wave to catch it.  Ya wait for surface displacement, even if you can catch a reflection from the waning sun and hope that you're in position.  But Wattman was not to be denied.  Screams of "I will not be beaten," reverberated against the shoreline as darkness surrounded him like a cloak while he stared into the Ocean's horizon for that last ride.  A hint of the last set.  The slightest glimpse- he turned, paddled and jumped a knee high curler.  Short. Sweet. All that was needed to close the session.  The stoke within.  Night overtook us, the beach fell silent. Walking back, the countdown to the end of our weekday surf season was mentioned (4 more), but dismissed immediately. Still much surf to be had. Waves to be caught. Swell to be ridden.

Can't 'cha see...

...can't 'cha see?

    Large crowds have turned us away from the Crab Bag twice, even this late in the year.  As we entered once again the bar was full (must be Cruiser weekend again), but an older couple spied us checking for seats and offered up theirs as they were paying the tab.  Man, it's gotta be the off season when you get the friendly locals coming thru in the pinch.  With cold beer in iced glasses and a friendly talkative barkeep, the evening was off to a rousing start. Wings, it's what we're here for and wings are what we ordered.  2nd season Happy Hour at the Crab Bag is all night.  Good thing too.  Half price wings, but only five to an order.  Can you say "foursome?" That's right 4 distinct varieties tried.  BBQ, XX Hot, Sweet Red Chili, and Old Bay.  Old Bay- thickest, Old Bayeeist (is that a word?) so far this year. Sweet Red Chili- a back end kick that would not quit.  XX Hot were the hottest we've had without being overwhelming, and the BBQ was an excellent blend.  Back this with multiple 50 in. TVs and Sirius Radio on a JBL speaker system and you've got summer crowds explained.  With off-season pricing in effect everything was seasonal here but the price of crabs.  Go for the crabs?  Better know what you're gettin'.  $90 for a dozen steamed jumbos.  A bit steep.  Can ya hear the scream?

THE RATINGS-
XX Hot: A-
Sweet Red Chili: A-
Beer (just the basics): B
TV/Music: B+
Atmosphere: B+
Overall Score= 3.40

Endless Summer Cruisers in town.

Autumn Stoke, notes from the Target

Small door, big stoke.  9/27

   Man! What an awesome Fall!  Beautiful weather, empty beach, and rideable surf cannot be understated.  High tide, warm (70F) water.  Waves continue to be small, but rollin' in sets. Every two minutes, a ride.  Wattman caught more in this session than he did the entire month of August.  Even in the fast fade of Autumn light- a quick backside, then a frontside right noted for the record.  Complete stoke made the walk from the beach upbeat...a feeling soon to be justified.

   Tonight we headed to the Frog Bar (formerly the Red Eyed Frog) facing the inlet.  Do not let it's small nomenclature fool you.  The bar seats 12 and has 12 tables.  But it's BIG!  Big view...panoramic inlet, at twilight unbelievable!  A light show from a barge dredging the inlet all night long. Sirius/XM on Bose Reflectives booming classic hard rock.  You can never understate( there's that word again) the importance of quality speakers in a bar...especially a small bar.  Six flat screens over the windows.  Damn good start.  However, we are here for one primary purpose... wings & beer. Frog Happy Hour, aka "Froggy Hour" runs from 8pm-9pm.  $1 drafts.  8oz. mind you, but still, that's 16oz. for two bucks! A bargain anywhere!  The wings...6 to a set, we got Olde Bay, BBQ and 50/50 (a hot buffalo/blue cheese mix).   When the Wangs are right, the rest don't matter.  All three hot and meaty, and a crispy skin so few places get right.  Three styles, cooked to perfection and with perfect seasoning, it was hard to pick a favorite.  But, the 50/50's were the surprising treat.  You never want to disclose the year's winner too early, but The Frog Bar is certainly a front-runner.  Onward Crusaders!

THE RATINGS-
50/50 Wings: A-
BBQ/OldeBay: B+
TV/Music: A-
Atmosphere: B+
OVERALL SCORE: 3.43

Local Barfly

Cool Nights 'n Empty Beaches, notes from the Target

Frontside Slider, 9/20

Tail chec...uh, surf check.

 









                     Ahhhhhhhh, the fun filled days of fall. Cool nights and empty beaches (no bikini's, but plenty of tail...feathers; i.e. gulls) lend themselves as a reminder that we have reclaimed the Ocean backs to ourselves.  OCMD's second season is in full swing and the Wattman planned to take full advantage of the open consecutive sets rolling in.  You'd the think it was a dream line-up, but the swell more like a mixed bag of hamburger Sliders... lots of bun but only small patties of meat.  DWatt fought most of the evening to find the allusive long ride among the constant set of small close-outs.  But the stoke was found, even if it was one outta every five and that was enough to smile about.  Heading in we wondered as to how many more decent weeks of surf we have left.   Six available.  We know that.

Closing door, time to leave.

 












   This evening we finally made it to the historic Duck Bar.  Anyone who has ever been to Ocean City has heard of the famous MR Ducks. One of the first bayside waterfront bars, it has a reputation bigger than the bar itself. Walking in at the end of happy hour, the place had a good crowd with a live country duo on the small deck/stage. While well played live music is always appreciated by some (DWatt), I have to admit core rock is more my style. But we came in for one reason. Good hot wings and cold beer. This is a gazebo over the water, so there are no taps here. Cans only. While selection was obviously not a priority, at $2 each and very cold they were dealmakers.
   The wing selection, now that grabbed our attention.  We snatched up an order each of Mango Habanero and Ducks BBQ.  Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, fire and sweet.  Without regard to the impending burn we dove into the Habaneros.  I say without regard to the impending burn...a burn that never occured.  Can you say mango (or maybe orange) marmalade? 'Cause that's what it seemed we got.  And no heat.  None.  Even the BBQ was only average.  Gotta say, a bit of disappointment to an otherwise pleasant autumn night.  So we took the Crusade into the reputed historic, and what we found?  Nice view.  Nice crowd...albeit a tinge older than us...and that's sayin' somethin.'  And the thought- where to next?

THE RATINGS-
Mango Habanero Wings: C-
Ducks BBQ Wings: C
Beer: C+
TV/Music: B-
Atmosphere: B
Total Score...2.38

Bike Week...Like Ants, notes from the Target

Kinda bumpy thigh to waist rides, 9/13

     Bike Week in ye 'ol O.C.  What does a Harley have to do with the surf? Absolutely nothing.  We got an empty beach with the roar of a Hog in the background.  We also got us the first Fall surf of the year.  Waist high with some bump, but with a low tide it wasn't beach break, a plus.  The water's still in the low 70's.  Air in the mid-70's.  Nice night.  DWatt manged to juice several lefts and rights before the ever more antecedent sunset made judgement difficult...must be an age thing.

Gettin' late...lil' behind the lines.

 












   Did we mention it was Bike Week?  They were like ants, throngs of bikes pouring out everywhere.  Don't get yourselves askew.  Nothing wrong with Bikers... some are cowboys, most of 'em are old timers, or yuppies riding the latest trend.  Regardless, our planned destination was a bust...loaded with ant...uh Bikers- and Biker wanna Be's. No place to sit and standing room only was limited.  We moved on.  But, even our 2nd choice was infested.  Weak from a lack of Beer and a need of Wings we limped into previously aforementioned and visited Grottos on 125th.  We knew what to expect from nine weeks earlier.  Slightly slow service, small crowd, cold beer, plenty of TVs and average wings.  Our last thoughts held true.  Turn it up a notch or two and this place would rate as a favorite spot in the lineup to catch a game.  As for now, a bit stiffer rating as no improvement was seen.

"Savoir-Faire is everywhere!"

THE RATINGS(2nd Time Around)-

Hot Wings: C

Honey BBQ: C

Beer: C+

TV/Music: B

Atmosphere: C+

OVERALL SCORE...2.25

The 2nd Season Convenes, notes from the Target

 

   The second season has officially begun, and with it the hopes of monster surf brought on by an active Atlantic Hurricane climate.  Tropical Storm Leslie has brought high levels of rain in the past several days, but no high winds or storm damage.  For that we are grateful.  And the for the first time in weeks we have waist or better swell.  Some right hand chest highs filled the bill Thursday evening and the Wattman wasn't alone in the lineup as a handful of salty watermen were on on the lookout for any available ride. With the sun setting by 7:30pm, the sense of urgency could be seen in everyone.  DWatt jumped wave after wave seeking the rush before nightfall. Finding stoke is not always immediate, that is why it must be chased.

Jumpin' the shoulder, 9/6

 












   As night fell we headed north, back to Delaware to the High Stakes Bar and Grill.  It's been about a year since our last visit and we held high hopes. Locating a table or seat with a good view for sports on the tube is not a problem here. To add to our excitement were the reasonable prices for ice cold beer... immediate happiness.  Life was good.  As we watched the O's-Yankees game our wings arrived.  More happiness.  Life got better.  We must be running some kinda streak (the wing Gods have been smiling upon us for real!). I thought the BBQ and Hot Buffalo were near great, and Wattman was only slightly behind me in his ratings of them.  as we rated the experience a thought seemed to emerge before us.  Have we found the new Smitty's?  Only time will tell.  With the year end fast approaching, the crusade must move on.

THE RATINGS-

Hot Wings: A-

BBQ Wings: A-

TV/Music: B

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score:  3.38